Reenforced-concrete sleeper



\ Jan. 11 1927. h

' I P. J. SQULAS REENFORCED CONCRETE SLEEPER Filed March 12 1925 v fnI/ehfoz- Wl/nesses q iZaZ-Jarytfi Soalas' Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

Uhll'l'ED STATES PATENT FlE.

PAUL-JOiSEPH SOULAS, OF LOURDES, FRANCE.

REENFUBGED-CONCRETE SLEEPER.

Application filed March 12, 1925, Serial No. 15,071, and in France April 25, 1924.

This invention relates to a reenforced concrete sleeper for railways.

The characteristic feature of the sleeper is that it is arched at the portion which is not beneath the rails so that the relatively flat end portions coming under the rails alone rest on the ballast, which allows for etlicient ra-n'uning down of the latter. end portions are provided with pyramidal openings in which are located plugs of similar shape of hard wood into which the bolts or the like for the attachment of the chairs or rails are adapted to screw.

in order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate its characteristic features, and which are given by way of example.

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the sleeper.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the reenforcing elements in one half of the sleeper, drawn to an enlarged scale, the outer contour of the sleeper being indicated in fine lines, and the plugs of wood into which the attachment de vices screw being shown in position.

Fig. 4 is a corresponding plan.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on A-A (Fig. 4:)

In the method of carrying out the inven- These seatings.

bottom of the sleeper.

end or sole pieces it obviates all. breakage of the sleeper by uneven setting thereof.

In the concrete which encloses the reenforcement rods or members, housings are provided for wooden plugs 12 into which the attachments 13 are screwed for fixing the rail to the sleeper. which may be of any hard wood dried and creosoted or of some exotic wood having a high resisting power, are preferably shaped quadrangular pyramids, the base being at the surface of the sleeper in such a way that the plugs offer great resistance to upward movement and do not turn in their They may be easily changed by T, knocking them out with a hammer from the These plugs 12 In addition two of the four contact faces of the plugs, denoted by 12, where they are in contact with the concrete may be provided with indented plates 14 which resist all sliding action, these plates themselves being embedded in the mass of the sleeper.

The sleeper made according to the invention is of relatively reduced weight considering its great solidity.

It lasts much longer than wooden sleepers, which are liable to decay.

A further advantage is derived from the tion illustrated in the drawing, it will be wooden plugs.

seen that the sleeper constructed according to the invention is provided at each eX- tremity with a relatively flat portion 1, which supports the corresponding rail, and which rests on the ballast. The portion 2 of the sleeper, between the two extremities 1 is slightly arched so that, so to speak, it does not transmit any strain to the ballast, all the strains being transmitted from the end portions 1.

almost impossible.

verse portion.

facility of upkeep and in replacing the Furthermore, the arched shape of the middle portion with the respect to the plane of the sole or end portions renders breakage Finally, the arrangement of the iron reenforoing rods allow for greater compression of the concrete at the end or sole portions and reenforces the bends of the trans- VVhat I claim and desire to secure by Letbers 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The reenforcing is members of the parts 1 are connected by stirrup shaped members 8 and 9, whilst those in the part 2 of the sleeper are enveloped by iron wire 10 wound in spiral shape.

The sleeper resists all the forces or blows to which it is exposed in a most perfect manner. h The lower surface of the end or sole portions 1 is channelled transversely at 11 so as to avoid all sliding of the sleeper on the ballast, this latter being rammed down in the usual manner beneath the said sole pieces. As this is effected only below the forth.

ters Patent of the United States of America 1. A reenforced concrete sleeper comprising an arched central portion, and two relatively flat end portions, the said end portions being provided with housings of truncated pyramidal shaped, indented plates on someof the faces of the said housings, and hard wood blocks in said housings for the insertion of the fixing means for the rails substantially as and for the purposes set 2. A reenforced concrete sleeper compris mg an arched central portion and two relaiii?) lit) tively flat end portions having transverse grooves on their lower surfaces, the said end portions being provided with housings of truncated pyramidal shape, indented plates on some of the faces of the said housings, and hard Wood blocks in said housings for the insertion of the fixing means for the rails, substantially as and for the purposes set forth,

3. A reenforced concrete sleeper comprising an arched central portion and two relatively flat end portions, the said end portions being provided With housings of truncated rectangular pyramidal shape, indented plates on two opposite faces of the said housings, 1 and hard Wood blocks in said housings for the insertion of the fixing means for the rails, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In Witness whereof I affix my signature.

PAUL-JOSEPH SOULAS. 

